By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
ACTING Managing Director of the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC), Alhaji Jimoh Haruna Gabi has urged residents of riverine communities and flood prone areas in Kogi state to move to higher grounds immediately.
The Managing Director made the call at the commencement of the Early Warning Advocacy/Sensitization on Flood Mitigation, in Koton-Karfe, headquarters of Kogi Local Government Area on Tuesday.
Alhaji Haruna Gabi who was represented by the Kogi State Coordinator of N-HYPPADEC, Michael Ajayi Omeiza, stressed the importance of adhering to warning signals as they go a long way in safeguarding citizens and minimizing the risks and havoc associated with flooding.
The Acting MD explained that timely preparation for eventual flooding is crucial as it is the most common hazard in N-HYPPADEC communities adding that some floods develop slowly.
On the other hand, he said, a flash flood can occur within minutes or hours after a storm or breakdown of containment system and it is also among the most devastating natural disasters in the world.
It claims more lives and cause more property damage than any other natural phenomenon.
“It has therefore become necessary during this rainy season to move to higher grounds, get informed through public safety information before, during and after emergencies, clean/clear all drainages around or leading to homes”
He noted that floods have continued to inundate Nigerian Communities wreaking havoc and leaving tales of woe on its trail adding that the phenomenon had worsened in recent times due to human and natural factors especially, rapid population growth.
Some of the factors, he pointed out, include: industrialization, urbanisation, poor urban planning, climate change via increased frequency and intensity of rainfall, more frequent and violent storms that cause floods.
Earlier, the Ohimege-Igu of Koton-Karfe, His Royal Majesty, Saidu Akawu Salihu, while receiving the N-HYPPADEC MD in his Palace, expressed the readiness of all communities in his domain to partner the Commission in all its intervention efforts in the Kingdom.
He stressed that his people were always apprehensive as the rainy season approaches each year and would cooperate with N-HYPPADEC in the fight against natural disasters especially, flooding which ravages every year.
The Royal Father pledged on behalf of his subjects that they would strictly adhere to the N-HYPPADEC’s early warning safety measures by relocating to safe grounds, clearing of drainages and evacuation of wastes.
Speaking earlier, Hon. Abdullahi Isah, Executive Chairman, Kogi Local Government Council, applauded the timely intervention of N-HYPPADEC in mitigating the devastating impact of flooding in the council area. (Ends)